Dispensing apparatus



March 29, 1955 G. M. WOODRUFF DISPENSING APPARATUS 2 snets-sheet 1 Filed Oct. 2, 1952 INVENTOR l 2 m cu N Geerd@ M. Woodruff Q'SON'IO ATTORN E XLS March 29, 1955 G. M. WOODRUFF 2,705,092

DIsPENsING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [36 373326 "mi g I I 4 TOR W di ivi/(). 3 George M OO L# ATTORNEYS United States Patent DISPENSING APPARATUS GeorgeM. Woodruff, Battle Creek, Mich., assignor, by Y mesne assignments, to Diamond Crystal Salt Co., St.

Clair, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application October 2, 1952, Serial No. 312,810

9 Claims. (Cl. 222-156) This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing successive measured charges of granular, pelletized or other owable material from a bulk supply. In canning operations, for example, it is often necessary to deliver a predetermined amount of salt to each successive can of a moving series, in the form of either a measured volume of loose salt or of one or more pellets of predetermined size. Apparatus embodying the present invention is well suited for use in such canning operations and will be so described hereinafter for the sake of illustration, but various other applications of the invention will be apparent toY those skilled in the art.

Apparatus capable of performing dispensing operations such as those mentioned above has been devised heretofore in various mechanical forms, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus of this type which is characterized by markedly simple construction, by a minimum of moving parts, and by durability and reliability in service.

Anotherobject is to provide an apparatus or device of the type in question wherein novel provision is made for mounting the bulk supply means separately from the dispensing means so as to facilitate individual inspection, cleaning and servicing `of each means.

A further object is to provide a device of the type characterized above having improved means connecting the bulk supply-With the dispensing means to provide a completely enclosed path for the salt and to protect the moving parts of thedevice.

Still another object is to provide improved means for distributing the material from the bulk supply into accurately measured volumes or charges.

Other objects will appear more fully from the following description.

One embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, -but it is to be expressly understoodthatsaid drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as a definition ofthe limits ofthe invention, reference being had to the appended claims for this purpose.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a'perspective view of a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a'plan view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3;

and

Fig. 3 is a side view of the device, partly in section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

' The entire apparatus is mounted on a suitable vertical support here shown as a post 1 of circular cross section. The apparatus is divided, however, into three separate parts each of which is independently mounted on the support 1. The-middle part normally forms a connection between an upper bulk supply unit and a lower dispensing unit, each of which is independently swingable about -said support between an operating position in which it cooperates with the other unit and another position in which it is readily accessible for cleaning, repair and replacement of parts, etc.

'In the upper or bulk supply unit, the salt or other material to be dispensed is contained in a suitable hopper 2 preferably provided-with a cover 3. The hopper is preferably made of metal and is formed integrally with a supporting bracket 4 which extends to one side and terminates in a clamping plate 5 secured to the post 1 by means of a clamping plate 6 and suitable bolts 7.

The bottom of -the hopper 2 is preferably funnelshaped as shown at 8 in Fig. 3, and a spout 9 forms an ICC extension of the mouth of the funnel-shaped bottom 8, being secured thereto in any suitable manner as by means of. screws 10. Preferably the spout 9 is made of any suitable transparent material so as to enable the operator to inspect the operation of the device and in particular to determine when the hopper 2 is about to become empty.

Hygroscopic material such as salt should preferably be heated gentiy in order to minimize caking tendencies. In the form shown, the hopper 2 is provided adjacent its bottom with an integral radially extending ange 11 having a downturned rim 12, which flange is thickened at 13 to receive screws 14 holding retaining brackets 15 thereon. The brackets 15 are spaced around the periphery of the hopper at suitable intervals to hold a ring-shaped electric heating element 16 in place.

The middle part of the device, which is mounted on the post 1 below the bulk supply, comprises a cylindrical shield or housing 17, preferably of transparent plastic so that the operator can observe the operation of the device. This housing 17 extends downwardly from the supply hopper and surrounds at its lower end the dispensing mechanism hereinafter described so as to enclose completely the space between the supply hopper and the dispensing mechanism. As shown, the upper end of the cylindrical housing preferably fits inside the rim 12 of the hopper flange 11 to prevent the entry of Water or dirt into this space. The housing is mounted independently of the hopper by any suitable means such as a mounting plate 18 at one side having an integral clamping bracket 19 which cooperates with a clamp 20 and clamping bolts 21 to support the housing on the supporting post 1. The housing itself may thus take the form of a strip or sheet of plastic bent into cylindrical form with its edges secured to the mounting plate 18 by suitable means such as the screws 22 (Fig. 2). It will be seen that by loosening the bolts 7, the entire bulk supply mechanism may be lifted out of the housing 17 and then swung around the post 1 as a pivot to a position in which it is readily accessible for cleaning or other purposes.

The dispensing mechanism is mounted on the post 1 in a manner similar to the bulk supply mechanism described above. In the form shown, a frame member is mounted on the post by means of a laterally extending split bracket 23 and clamping bolts 24, and comprises a generally circular supporting plate 25 having a recess 26 and a bearing hub 27 both concentric with the supply hopper 2. Mounted on the circular support 25 in any .suitable manner is a stationary base plate 28 having at one side a dispensing opening 29. The base plate 28 is centrally apertured and a hub 30 rotates in this aperture, said hub being driven by a shaft 31 which turns in any suitable anti-friction bearings 31' in the bearing hub 2'7. Connected to and rotating with the upper end of the hub 30 and shaft 31 is a measuring plate 32 having an upright peripheral flange 33 and a plurality of measuring openings or pockets 34 arranged in a series around its circumference so that as the measuring plate 32 rotates relatively to the base plate 28, said pockets 34 come successively into registry with the dispensing opening 29 of the base plate.

As will be observed from Figs. l and 3, the base plate 28 fits within the lower end of the housing 17 referred to above so that the rotating measuring plate 32 is completely enclosed by the housing and protected against entrance of dirt and moisture. In order to minimize caking of hygroscopic material such as salt, the plate 28 and/or the plate 32 may also be heated in any suitable manner. For example, spacers 35, screws 36 and brackets 37 may be employed to attach a ring-like electric heating element 38 to the lower face of the base plate 28 within its recess 26. Since plates 28 and 32 are in contact with one another, the heat from the element 37 is transmitted to both plates. It will be seen that by loosening the clamp 23, 24, the entire dispensing unit can be lowered on the post 1 until it clears the housing 17 and then swung around the post to a position at one side of the housing where the parts are easily accessible for cleaning, etc.

Suitable means are provided for regulating the feed of.

salt from the, spout 9 tothe dispensing pockets 34 and for distributing this salt in radial directions so as to insure that each of the pockets 34 will be completely and exactly lled as it reaches the discharge position shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 3. Preferablyrthe escape of salt from the hopper spout, or yin-other words `the rate of feed of the salt to the measuring pockets 34, is regulated by means of a conical distributor element 39 which is recessed to t over and to rotate with the hub 30 mentioned above. The rate of feed of the salt is therefore regulated by the space or gap 46 between the lower edge of the hopper spout 9 and the rotating cone 39, which can be adjusted by adjusting the vertical position of the supply unit or of the dispensing unit on the post 1. Preferably the member 39 is .provided with a pull rod 41 or the like so that it can -be used as `a shut-oit valve to prevent dumping the salt from the hopper.

The material to be dispensed tends to'ilow through opening 40 equally in all radial directions, and its distribution on the platev32 and its radial movement thereon can be controlled by suitable spreaders or Scrapers the arrangement of which may vary according to the material being handled. In the case of granular salt, for example, two such spreaders can be arranged as shown in the drawings, these being preferably carried by a supporting ring 42 mounted on the hopper spout 9; At one side, said ring 42 is provided with an extension 43 to which a spreader or scraper 44 is secured by means-of screws 45. As shown in Fig. 2, the spreader 44 is located inside the pocket 34 at its discharge position, extending substantially tangentially with respect to a circle concentric with measuring plate 32. In the direction of rotation, the end 46 of the spreader terminates at a point intermediate the spout 9 and the flange 33, whereas its other end 47 in the opposite direction is curved as shown in Fig. 2 so that it terminates at and merges with the surrounding iange 33.

On the other side of the spout 9, the supporting ring 42 is provided with a slotted extension` 4S and. a clamping bolt 43 which holds the ring on the spout. A threaded stud 49 is radially adjustable in the slot, being secured in the desired position by means ofupper and lower lock nuts G and 51 respectively. As shown in Fig.v 3, the lower end of the stud 49 is split so as to locate and support a second spreader 52. Referring to Fig. 2, one end 53 of the spreader 52 is located approximately at the circumference of the rotating cone 39, said spreader extending circumferentially in the direction of rotation and progressively farther away from said cone, its other end 54 lying at or somewhat overlapping the path of travel of pockets 34.

ln the operation` of the device, a line of cans to be charged passes by the dispensing apparatus in the direction indicated diagrammatically by the arrow 55 in Fig. 2, one of said cans 56 being shown in dotted lines in the charging or dispensing position in Figs. 2 and 3. While any suitable means can be employed for moving the cans and rotating the dispensing apparatus in synchronisrn, it is convenient to employ a star wheel 57 or similar device mounted on the shaft 3l. lt will be understood that the star wheel can be replaced in case cans of different sizes are tobe handled.

It will be seen that the rotating cone 39, being-in contact with the mass of salt in the bottom of the spout 9, exerts a certain agitating and feeding action such that the salt feeds outwardly in all directions. The rate of feed of course depends on the extent of the space or gap di? as mentioned above, and this gap is preferably regulated so that the mount of salt fed through it to the plate 32 is substantially equal to the amount of salt discharged from said plate through the opening 29 when the device is operating steadily at the intended rate.

The action ot the spreaders 4d and 52 then takes place as follows. Immediately beyond the spreader 52 in the direction of rotation, the surface of the plate 32 near the periphery of the cone 39 is substantially free of salt. As the plate 32 continues to rotate, the amount of salt there` on builds up progressively due to the continuous discharge from the spout 9, but most if not all of this accumulated salt collects against the scraper ALI@ and is carried along its inner sidepast the discharge position in a downward direction as seen in 2. This accumulated salt, augmented by further salt being discharged around the periphery of the cone 39, moves around to the scraper 52 which causes all of the salt to move radiallyoutward toward the flange 33 and into the series of. pockets 34. Some of the salt, of course, may pass by the end S4 of the scraper 52 and salt may pile up or accumulate againstthe iiange 33 in excess of that required to iill the pockets 34. rThis excess, however, is removed by the scraper 44 and fed past the discharge station as described above, each pocket 34 being scraped oit ilush with the surface of the plate 32 as it passes under the scraper 44 and being protected bysaid scraper against theaccess of further salt until it'has moved substantially beyond the discharge position.

lt will be understood that apparatus embodying the invention can be used for dispensing pelletizedlmaterial as well as granular material, the size of the pockets 34 being suitably regulated to hold just the right number of pellets or tablets in each case. Also there may be any suitable number ofopenings 34, depending on their individual size, the size and speed of rotation of the measuring plate, and similar considerations. For simplicity, the apparatus is preferably arrangedas shown so that measuring plate and star wheelrotate together with the same shaft andY at the same speed, but if desired any suitable speed reducing means may be interposedy between the shaft and the measuring plate.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been,

illustrated and described with particularity, other. embodiments will occur to those skilled in the. art, as Well as various changes that may be made in the form, details of construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. Reference should therefore be had yto theV appended claims forv a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Dispensing apparatus for granular and likeowable materials comprising a supply hopper having a funnel-shaped bottom with an openmouth, measuring and dispensing mechanism located beneath saidmouth and comprising a supporting plate having a discharge opening therein and a member rotatable relative to `and above said plate and having aplurality of measuring pockets arranged to register successively with said open-- ing, rotatable means having a driving connection to said.- rotatable member and locatedentirelyoutside said hop per, and a common supporting post, said hopper and said mechanism each independently mounted on said postH for unitary swinging movement about the same.

2. Dispensing apparatus as defined in claim l, said mechanism including a distributing-member located beneath the opening of said funnel-shaped bottom, said member being detachable from saidmechanism and movable into closing engagement with said mouth.

3. Dispensing apparatus as defined in claim l, including a transparent housing member extending downwardly from said hopper with its lower end surrounding the peripheries of said plate and member, said mechanism being mounted on said post for both vertical and swinging movement.

4. Dispensing apparatus as defined inV claim 3, the

tunnel-shaped bottom ofsaid hopper also having a trans-- parent wall, said two transparent walls-forming a substantially annular space housing part ofsaid distributing means.

5. Dispensing apparatus for granular and like-flowable materials comprising a Vsupply hopper the lower portion of which is reduced 'in diameter and terminates in a circular open mouth, dispensing mechanism located belowy said mouth including a rotatable plate having a series of pockets arranged concentrically Vwith but at greater diameter than said mouth, distributing mechanism for moving material radially from said mouth into said pockets com-y prising a substantially conical distributor rotating with said plate and projecting into said mouth, and a stationary member mounted on said lower hopper portion andv cooperating with the surface of said rotatable plate beyond the periphery of said distributor to guide the movenient of the material thereon.

6. Apparatus as deiined in claim S, the lower edge of said member arranged to scrape the material in said pockets substantially flush with said surface.

7. Apparatus as dened in claim 5, including a supporting ring surrounding andmounted on said lower hopper portion, said member being secured to said ring.v

8. Apparatus as defined in claim-5,' said plate having a peripheral rim, said member extending in a substantially tangential direction between the lperiphery of said distrfibutor and the cdircle of poekts, one end portinlain there References Cited in the le of this patent 0 curving inwar ly toward t e oncoming poc ets an terminating in a tapered end engaging said rim. UNITED STATES PATENTS 9. Apparatus as dened in claim 5, said conical mem- 866,747 Thomas Sept. 24, 1907 ber normally cooperating with the mouth of said spout 5 893,583 Hey et a1. July 14, 1908 to regulate the feed of said material to said dispensing 1,731,515 Andrews etal. Oct. 15, 1929 unit, said conical member being detachable from said dis- FOREIGN PATENTS pensing unit and movable into non-rotating closing engagement with said mouth. 27,675 Great Britain Dec. 1, 1913 

